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SAN JUAN — While the annual Blue Mass serves as an opportunity for the public and religious leaders to pray for members of the law enforcement community, the meaning is rooted in something deeper for Deacon Roman Ramos, something personal.
His head bowed, Ramos prayed for his son Wednesday morning, a sergeant at an Austin university police force, for his safety and protection from all harm.
“I know that every time he wears that uniform it’s almost like a target. There are some people who don’t understand the purpose of the role they play with us in our community,” Ramos said. “So, that’s why it is so important that prayer becomes like a shadow over all of them, that they will be protected.”
The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle hosted its annual Blue Mass on Wednesday afternoon, when ministers from the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville prayed for blessings for first responders from across the Rio Grande Valley.
As the mass began and law enforcement filled the pews at the basilica with uniforms of blue, green, black and tan, Bishop Daniel Flores explained that the importance of Wednesday’s event was to pray for peace, comfort and protection for those who serve the community.
Ramos shared similar sentiments about the prayerful purpose of the event.
“This mass is intended very much to honor them, what they do for us and especially for those fallen officers who have died in their duty, so we also remember them in this honorable celebration,” Ramos said.
He explained that the mass allows the community to not only pray for law enforcement but also helps recognize the importance of their role in society.
“We want to make sure that the community understands the value they have to us,” Ramos said.
Ramos added that the mass allows for unity of all branches of law enforcement such as the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, Border Patrol and other first responders, who turn to their faith for support. Other agencies included the Pharr, McAllen and Edinburg police departments, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
For Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra, seeing the community support and the prayers they receive give law enforcement and first responders a sense of comfort when facing the challenges they encounter in their career.
He explained that throughout his time in law enforcement he has always appreciated when community members keep him and his staff in their prayers.
“It shows that the community is supporting us and we have people that actually care about the people who are out there putting their life on the line,” Guerra said with tenderness in his voice. “It just brings so much comfort to us knowing that there are people that are actually praying for us.”
To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Delcia Lopez’s full photo gallery here:
Photo Gallery: Blue Mass provides blessings of peace, protection for Valley law enforcement
